More than a million young people not in school, work, or training

MORE than a million young people in the UK are not in school, work, or training, according to new figures.

PUBLISHED: 14:19, Thu, Nov 21, 2013

14.9 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds are NEET [GETTY]

We are determined to do more to prepare young people for the world of work

Matthew Hancock

In total, around one in six 16 to 24-year-olds are considered NEET - not in education, employment or training - although the numbers are falling, according to data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Of those who were NEET, more than half were looking or available for work and were classed as unemployed.

The figures showed that overall, between July and September, 1.07 million young people were NEET, down 28,000 compared to the same point a year before, and down 19,000 from the previous three months.

It means that around 14.9 per cent of all 16 to 24-year-olds were NEET, down 0.2 percentage points on April to June and down 0.3 percentage points on the year before.

The first time the figure hit the million mark was between October and December 2005. The last time it dipped below it was between January and March in 2008.

The figures also show that rising numbers of NEETs were considered to be unemployed.

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Around 55 per cent of NEETs - 594,000 young people - were available and looking for work, which meant they were classed as unemployed, an extra 9,000 youngsters compared to April to June, and an additional 29,000 compared to a year earlier.

The remaining 45 per cent were either not looking for or not available for work.

Skills minister Matthew Hancock said: "I welcome today's figures from the ONS which show that in the UK there are almost 30,000 fewer 16 to 24-year-olds who are NEET than there were over the same period last year.

"We are determined to do more to prepare young people for the world of work.

"We are expanding apprenticeships, introducing traineeships and working to give everyone the skills, confidence and experience demanded by employers."

A UKIP spokesperson said the situation would be exacerbated by a surge of immigration to the UK from Romania and Bulgaria when strict controls on EU migrants ends on December 31.

She said: "The fact that we have youngsters in need of training and employment opportunities shows the madness of yet more uncontrolled immigration.

"I urge people to sign the Express petition and show the political establishment we want them to stand up to Brussels."

So far more than 100,000 people have signed our crusade against the restrictions being lifted.